Abdominal part of pectoralis major

Lower chest · Chest

Origin: Aponeurosis of the external oblique
Insertion: Lateral lip of the bicipital groove of the humerus
Action: Pulls the raised arm down and in toward the body
Nerve supply: Medial pectoral nerve (C8–T1)

The lowest and smallest slip of the chest muscle, arising from the sheet of tendon over the abdomen. Its fibres run upward to the arm, so it helps pull the arm down from overhead, together with the lower sternocostal fibres.

Main exercises

Also works in

Exercises listed for the pectoralis major as a whole

Abdominal part of pectoralis major anatomy page →

Exercises that train the abdominal part of pectoralis major

Barbell bench press — main mover
Dumbbell fly — main mover
Push-up — main mover
Parallel bar dip — main mover
Incline bench press — assists
Chin-up — assists

Exercises listed for the pectoralis major as a whole

Pull-up — assists
Plank — assists

Other parts of the pectoralis major

Sources

Last updated 18 October 2026. For education only — not medical advice, and not reviewed by a clinician.